Rated 4.5 / 5 stars2013-03-03 16:52:58

Rated 4 / 5 stars2013-03-03 18:47:04

anyway....

The game is really good. It DOES require SOME patience....and there aren't flashy upgrades between levels, and I will say that the graphics border on minimalist...but they are clean. This game knows what it's doing, even if it doesn't always explain itself. Like the flute or blowgun or whatever it was, I never had a clue what it did. Gourd of wisdom? I'm GUESSING it increases my "stealth detection" meter. Maybe it lets me jump a little higher? Dunno.

I did like many of the basic effects, the music was tense and the game overs are very startling in that they make me want to keep playing. I also really enjoyed the overall pacing, even if I did start to get frustrated and impatient with having to wait for enemies to move here or there.
Also, you can't really tell if you've entered the wrong keys for freeing prisoners...until you fail and break the lock or whatever. No do-over, really? For levels that are so involved, players who seek that "perfect level" will feel discouraged.

I did also like that hotkeys were bound to menu buttons. That works great, unlike other games that are very assuming in how the player operates their computer...

overall, this is a pretty fun game that's worth returning to. It has a classic feel, and doesn't bog you down with learning a whole jumble of new controls and mechanics. Some matters of pacing are a little frustrating, but I do enjoy a game that tries to break off from the crowd and doesn't mind if not everyone gets it.